Exhibit 99.1


ETHYL CORPORATION REPORTS RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN CANADA ON MMT(R)

Richmond, VA (March 8, 2004) - Ethyl Corporation (NYSE-EY) - As we have
previously announced, the Government of Canada recently released its "Proposed
Framework for an Independent Third Party Review of New Information on the
Effects of MMT(R) on Vehicle Emissions." In their proposal, the Canadian
Government provided no timetable for the commencement or completion of the
review. Ethyl welcomes the independent third party review of MMT(R), which we
believe, when properly designed, conducted and interpreted, will reaffirm that
MMT(R) is compatible with modern emission control devices.

Ethyl Corporation has been informed by our two largest customers in Canada of
their intention to suspend the use of the gasoline additive MMT(R) pending the
results of the Government of Canada-sponsored independent third party review.
While this suspension will have a negative impact on our Canadian business,
Ethyl's management believes that the suspension is not likely to have a material
adverse effect upon the overall financial performance of the Company. MMT(R) is
one of the most extensively tested fuel additives in history. While we are
disappointed with the decision of our customers, we believe that MMT(R) is an
environmentally beneficial product that has proven its effectiveness in
real-world use.

For more information regarding our MMT(R) business, please see our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 that was recently filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.


Forward-Looking Statement

Some of the information contained in this press release constitutes
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although Ethyl's management believes its
expectations are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of its
knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual
results will not differ materially from expectations.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations
include, but are not limited to: timing of sales orders; gain or loss of
significant customers; competition from other manufacturers; a significant rise
in interest rates; resolution of environmental liabilities; changes in the
demand for Ethyl's products; significant changes in new product introduction;
increases in product cost; the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates
on reported results of operations; changes in various markets; geopolitical
risks in certain of the countries in which Ethyl conducts business; the impact
of consolidation of the petroleum additives industry; and other factors detailed
from time to time in the reports that Ethyl files with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including the risk factors in Item 7A, "Quantitative and
Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" of Ethyl's 2003 Annual Report on Form
10-K, which is available to shareholders upon request.


         CONTACT: Ethyl Corporation, Richmond
         Investor Relations
         David A. Fiorenza, 804-788-5555
         Fax:  804-788-5688
         Email:  investorrelations@ethyl.com